Austria updates traffic rules: new requirements for electric mopeds, scooters, and safety systems

Austria is changing its traffic rules: new requirements for electric mopeds, scooters, and surveillance cameras. Find out when the new rules will come into effect, who they apply to, and what drivers and couriers need to know

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Austria is preparing for a major reform in the field of road traffic. The government has presented a draft of the updated Road Traffic Act (StVO), which is intended to bring the country's transport system into line with modern realities.

“With this amendment, we are bringing the Road Traffic Act into the 21st century,” said Mobility Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) during a presentation in Vienna. According to heute.at, the document was developed in cooperation with transport spokespeople from the SPÖ, ÖVP, and Neos parties, and its main goal is to improve safety for all road users.

What will change for road users

The comprehensive amendment to the StVO includes a number of innovations that will affect both motorists and owners of electric vehicles:

● Electric mopeds will be removed from bike lanes and moved to public roads.

● Clear requirements for helmets and technical equipment will be introduced for electric scooters and electric bicycles.

● The use of cameras to regulate traffic will be permitted in city centers.

The new rules are expected to come into force on May 1, 2026, with stricter requirements for electric mopeds coming into effect on October 1, 2026.

Electric mopeds will no longer be considered bicycles

The reform is intended to relieve bicycle lanes, which in recent years have been overcrowded with delivery couriers. Under the new rules, small electric mopeds (L1-eB) will no longer belong to the bicycle category.

Their use will require:

● a license plate;

● vehicle insurance;

● a driver's license of the appropriate category;

● a protective helmet.

“A small electric moped is not a bicycle and should not be treated as such,” emphasized SPÖ transport spokesman Wolfgang Moidzi. According to him, in the future, electric mopeds will have to comply with the same rules as other motorized vehicles.

A transition period until fall 2026 is provided for delivery services to adapt to the new requirements. The parliament also approved the possibility of negotiating a collective agreement for freelance couriers, which should improve their working conditions.

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New rules for electric scooters and electric bicycles

Legislators paid particular attention to the safety of electric scooter and bicycle users. The draft provides for:

● mandatory use of helmets up to the age of 16 for scooters and up to the age of 14 for electric bicycles;

● the presence of a bell and turn signals;

● a reduction in the permissible blood alcohol level from 0.8 to 0.5 per mille;

● a ban on the transport of passengers and cargo.

Neos transport spokesperson Dominik Oberhofer emphasized that the helmet requirement is intended to strike a balance between safety, personal responsibility, and environmentally friendly mobility. “We are not introducing a general ban so as not to restrict popular rental services. At the same time, the new rules guarantee better protection for our young people,” he said.

Traffic calming cameras

Another innovation is allowing municipalities to use cameras to manage traffic in city centers. City authorities will now be able to automatically regulate the entry and movement of multi-lane transport in designated areas.

ÖVP spokesman Joachim Schnabel explained that this gives cities “a modern and internationally standardized tool for effective traffic management.”

At the same time, monitoring of bus lanes and bike lanes will be prohibited, with the exception of so-called “school streets” where children need special protection.

Mobility Minister Peter Hanke summed it up: “The reform makes our roads safer and our coexistence in traffic fairer.”

The updated law should not only increase safety, but also support the development of environmentally friendly transport by creating comfortable conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

The new rules are particularly relevant for Ukrainians who travel or work in EU countries. If you are planning a trip by car to Austria or other European countries, don't forget to get a Green Card — compulsory international motor insurance. It's easy to do online on the Visit Ukraine portal, which offers policies from various insurance companies.

We remind you! A Green Card is international motor insurance, which is mandatory for leaving Ukraine in your own vehicle. Read about which countries this policy is valid in, why it is checked at the border, and how to quickly obtain a Green Card online.

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